THE ALCOCK MYSTERY

Willa Latham goes on the trail of one of the most enigmatic figures in British porcelain

Bringing it all back home?

As ancient treasures are steadily returned to their places of origin after decades housed in Western museums, Emma Longstaff explores the complex and often emotive debate

Collecting POCKET WATCHES

More affordable than wristwatches and often superior in quality, the pocket watch could well be the timepiece of the moment for collectors...

Ruling the roost

A modest farm building in Kent proved the perfect blank canvas for a joyful restoration that celebrates salvaged items and industrial antiques

Surprise creations

Natasha Redcliffe breathed fresh life into this Victorian stationmaster's house, combining vintage finds with DIY flourishes to give this once-neglected home an elegant, theatrical edge

ART AND BEAUTY

Franck Montialoux and his husband Miguel lovingly restored this elegant manor house in Normandy, and filled it with pieces that reflect their love of antiques and portraiture

Paper Trails

Museum archives and historic stately homes are mines of decorative wallpaper designs that are ripe for reinterpretation

The art of colour

Exciting partnerships between paint companies and museums, galleries and heritage organisations offer inspiration for home decoration

BOXES OF DELIGHTS

A habit once beloved by all tranches of society, snuff taking sparked a fashion for elaborately crafted boxes to house the tobacco, opening up a rich collecting field

Irresistible ikat

The intricate dyeing technique of ikat has changed little since its nascence and the fabrics remain much admired, says Celia Rufey

Forgotten female artists.

Florence Evans tells us about her passion for bringing forgotten women artists to light, and the great joy in discovering hidden gems

Reach for the stars

As the sale of the Freddie Mercury collection takes centre stage at Sotheby's London this August and September, Caroline Wheater unpacks the rocketing phenomenon of the celebrity auction, where bidders buy into the lives of the rich and famous

A Place of Many Parts

Nick and Zoe Bullen both work in television production and their home, furnished with inherited pieces and finds gathered on their travels, reflects their storytelling skills

Home from HOME

Angela and Dr Geoff Kemp's beautifully eclectic New Zealand villa has been reimagined as a corner of England with colour, pattern, antiques and a few treasures from home

Bold type

Textile designer Zoe Davis and her husband James have transformed their Grade II-listed farmhouse with vibrant hues and vintage finds

The art of HOMEMAKING

Kathy Crisp and Russell Sherry have used their Sussex home to express their creativity, as well as their love of art and antiques, while staying true to the building's original features

SETTING THE SCENES

Period-drama season is upon us, and as viewers are transported by the sumptuous costumes and award-winning performances, we sneak beyond the sets to discover the hectic realm of sourcing antique props for TV and film

HEIRLOOMS OF THE FUTURE NDIDI EKUBIA

Exquisite silver vessels grace the shelves of museums and beautiful homes around the world - and now they're attracting a new generation of collectors, discovers Rosanna Morris

LUKE HONEY'S Cabinet of Curiosities

This Month: Ceramic Fairings

Six of the best COVERED MARKETS

Elegant components of many European cities since the mid 1800s, the continent’s covered markets remain marvels of period architecture as well as retail, says Rhiannon Batten

TRAVEL

ART DECO HOTELS, historic COVERED MARKETS, the latest TRAVEL NEWS, plus FAIRS AUCTIONS

Secrets of the SALVAGED GARDEN

Add unique character and timeless charm to your outside space with repurposed salvaged finds

Creating a VICTORIAN KITCHEN

A new book, Victorian Modern: A Design Bible for the Victorian Home, by Jo Leevers and Rachael Smith, takes a look at the history of Victorian rooms and how they can be adapted for life today. This is an edited extract of its chapter on kitchens

FLOWER POWER

Over the top yet undoubtedly joyful, the Coalbrookdale style of encrusted porcelain first produced by Coalport was quickly imitated, says Willa Latham

Royal memorabilia

Noah Hilditch on the collection he has built since childhood

All in Bloom

Floral fabrics have been staples of textile design for centuries, and while styles have evolved, the appeal is everlasting, says Celia Rufey

Setting the scene

Clive Mead and Stephen Hewson have revealed the historical past of this Tardis-like townhouse in Deal, with a little bit of help from their imaginations

City CALM

In Paris, behind a charming leafy courtyard, Aude Christin’s apartment has been transformed with colour, pattern and antiques, creating a country house feeling in the bustling city

Shopping with the pros

Cathy and Peter Bullen are well practised at buying antiques and vintage pieces from Provences flea markets. Here, Cathy talks to Katie Pike and shares her top tips...

Patina Provençal

As seasoned dealers in French antiques, Cathy and Peter Bullen were well placed to turn this historic house into their home from home